Flush valves



:NOV- 1961 J. J. FILLIUNG EI'AL 3,008,683

FLUSH-VALVES Filed July 10, 1959 INVENTORS. Jnaouzs J. F/LL/u/va ROBERT E. CAMPBELL PARKER 8 CARTER ATTORNEYS United States. Patent 01 FLUSH VALVES Jacques J. Filliung, Chicago, and Robert E. Campbell, Arlington Heights, 111., assignors to Sloan Valve Company, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Illinois Filed July 10, 1959, Ser. No. 826,345 3 Claims. (Cl. 251-30) This invention relates in general-to flush' valves for 3,008,683 Patented Nov. 14, 1961 2 home installation of a closet bowl and associated flushing equipment showing the invention;

. 'FIG. 2. is a cross-sectional view of the improved flush valve including the throttle or shut-01f valve, and the electrical operating means; While FIG. 3 is a top' view of the improved (flush valve with the solenoid removed.

Referring now to FIG. 1 of the drawings, reference character 1 shows generally a water closet bowl of the type disclosed in the aforesaid Patent No. 2,344,649, except that it may be suitably'supp'orted upon the wall rather than by a pedestal mounting on the floor. This type of wall mounting" is desirable in'small homes because it conserves space in the toilet room and the floor may be Another object of the invention is to design a new and l 1 improved flush valve in which novel electrically operated means are employed to activate the flush valve and in which the electrical means. are combined with novel means foradjusting the amount of water flushed by the flush valve.

Another object is to provide a unitary structure including a novel electrical operating means together with improved adjusting means for a flush valve whereby each means is adapted to be actuated independently of the other. i

A further object is to design'an improved flush valve and closet combination suitable for a small home in which the flush valve is concealed in the Wall of a toilet room, thereby conserving space; in which a wall hung water closet bowl is provided, permitting easy cleaning of the floor; and in which a remote electrical switch is provided for operating the flush valve to flush the closet bowl.

The use of direct connected flush valves for water closets in small residences hasnot been entirely practical heretoforebecause only small sized piping is installed to bring in water from the street main, and the rate of flow available from this small piping system is only about twelve gallons a minute, while the conventional. water closet requires around twenty-five gallons'per minute for a successful flushing operation. As a consequence, thewell known direct connected flush valves have been largely limited to multiple apartment buildings and other larger installations. However, a flush valve suitable for small homes that has been commercially available is disclosed in Patent No. 2,295,871, issued September 15, 1942, to William E. Sloan and I ohn I. Bellamy, to which reference may be had for further details of construction and operation insofar as it relates to the present invention. A water closet bowl also commercially available for use in small homes with a flush valve such as pointed out above is disclosed in Patent No. 2,344,649, issued March 24, 1944, to William E. Sloan. This 'water closet is capable of being satisfactorily andreliably flushed when supplied with a low rate of flow of around twelve gallons a minute,

'tothreaded "valve stem 10 in bonnet 11.

more easily cleaned. In accordance with the invention, the closet bowl maybe flushed by simply pressing the push button ofan electrical switch generally indicatedat .2 and located preferably adjacent the usual toilet paper roll 3 where'it is conveniently accessible and requires very li-t'tle effort to actuate it, as when small children use the toilet. The push button 2 is connected by suitable electric conduit to a source of electric current and to conduit box 4 located in an access space 27 formed in the wall of the toilet room directly behind the closet bowl 1 as shown. The flush valve indicated generally at 14 isisuitably supported in the access space 27' as shown and has its outlet flush connection 18 connected to the water cl'ose't' 1 while the water supply inlet connection 6 is connected to the throttle valve 5 andthis in turn to the flush valve inlet. An electrical connection is made between the conduit box 4 and the electric operating means indicated at .60 on the flush valve. The access space 27 is preferably closed ofl by a thin access panel .28 flush with the wall surface so that all of the operating mecha: nism is concealed in the wall except the push button 2, therebylconserving space in the toilet room, preventing tampering with the mechanism providing ease of access, andproducing quieter operation.

.Referring now toFIG. 2 of the drawings, there is indicated generally at 5 a shut-off and throttle valve, the purpose of which is to throttle the flow of water through the flush valve to the'proper amount. This valve 5 includes generally a body having a threaded inlet water supply connection 6' and a valve member 7 adjustable with respect to its valve seat 8 by the wheel handle 9 attached Throttle valve S is designed to be capable of quietly throttling the rate of flow and hold it to approximately twelve gallons per minute when the inlet water pressures are relatively high, without introducing line and water noises as a result of suc-hthrottling. Such a quiet valve is illustrated in Patent No. 2,334,686, issued November 16, 1943, to which reference may be madefor further details.

' The throttle valve 5 is connected by tailpiece 12 and coupling nut 13 to the Hush valve, indicated generally at 14, t'hroughits threaded inlet 15 formed in the side of the flush valve body 16. At its lower end, flush valve 16 has a threaded outlet 17 for attachment of a suitable discharge pipe leading from the outlet 18 into the closet bowl I as seen in FIG. l. Inside the flush valve casing 16 there is a'pressure chamber'20 within which a piston 21 is slid-ably disposed carrying a main valve seat 22. Seat-22 hasv seating engagement with the seating surface 19 surrounding the outlet end of the flush valve casing to close oil the flow of water through the flush valve. The

main seat 22- is held. and maintained centralized with piston 21 by the depending threaded stem 23. Assembled together with the seat 22 is the pre-entrant throttle plug 24, the silencing plug 25, and the winged guide member 2 6 threaded upon the lower end of stem 23, all for the purpose of gradually closing oil the flow of water and producing quiet action.

The piston 21 above the main seat 22 has a hollow interior passage 30, one portion of which leads to the by-pass or metering orifice 31 in the side of the piston and through which water from the supply line is allowed to slowly refill the upper pressure chamber 20 after the flush valve has been opened. The disc having the by-pass 31 therein is clamped in place by the nut 32 which also clamps the fine screen 33 in front of the b-y-pass on the side of the piston 21. At its upper end piston 21 is provided with a molded rubber cup or packing 34 which defines the pressure or control chamber 20 of the flush valve. The packing 34 is centrally located with respect to the piston body 21 by the upstanding lip around the top end of the central opening through the piston. A top plate 35' serves to stiifen the cup rubber 34 and both are held in assembled position on the top of the piston 21 by the gland 36 threaded into the central piston opening 30.

Located within the piston opening 30 is a limit valve member having a stem 37 with a lower head portion 38 and an upper valve head 39 having a rubber valve seating disc 40 secured thereon. To permit free water flow from the passage 30 to the pressure chamber 20 a passage 41 is formed in gland 36 and in this connection it will also be noted that the stem 37 is somewhat smaller in diameter than the opening 42 in gland 36 through which the stem 37 extends. The limit valve is adapted to be carried upwardly along with the piston 21 and released from seating engagement of the valve seat 40 when the piston descends and the limit valve head 38 is engaged by the underside of gland 36. For further details of the specific structure and operation of the parts so far described, reference may be had to the previously mentioned Patent No. 2,295,871.

Referring now specifically to the end closure or cover 56 of the flush valve body 16, the mechanism and parts including the present invention indicated generally at 60, are supported by this cover 50' as a unitary structure readily assembled and detachable from the flush valve body 16 by the screws 51. A suitable sealing gasket 52 is arranged between the cover 50 and flush valve body 16. Cover 50 has an enlarged rib portion 53 forming interior chamber 54 therein, and a relief outlet passage 55 connected with relief passage 56 leading to the outlet 18 of the flush valve below the main valve seat 19.

Also upstanding from the cover 50 is the cylindrical formed portion 57 internally threaded at 58 into which the flush valve volume regulating member 61 is adapted to be screwed. An ring 62 provides sealing between the regulating member 61 and cylinder 57 as the member 61 is adjusted up or down to provide the desired regulation. At its upper end the regulating member 61 has a hexagonal shaped part 63 to facilitate the adjustment of the member 61 as with a wrench. Near its lower end the member 61 is provided with a series of transverse passages 64 leading into relief chamber 54 and below these passages an O ring 65 around the member 61 provides effective sealing between the passages 64 at the pressure chamber 20. The lower end of adjusting member 61 threadedly supports a seating collar 66 having a central opening 67 therein to permit passage of water inwardly to the passages 64.

A limit valve seat 75 surrounds the opening 67 and is adapted to be engaged by limit valve member 40 when the piston rises. A vertical operating stem 68 having a relief valve head 69 formed on its lower end is adapted to reciprocate within the axial opening 70 which extends the length of the regulating member 61. Formed on a shoulder of the lower end of opening 70 upon which the valve head 69 normally rests is a valve seat 71 to close off the flow of water between the pressure chamber 20 and relief chamber 54. Slidable within an enlarged sec tion of opening 70 within the upper end of member 61 there is a head portion 72 fastened to the end of stem 68 and a restoring spring 73 around stem 68 is held between the bottom of the head 72 and a shoulder 74 formed in the opening 70 of adjusting member 61. Restoring spring 73 normally holds relief 'valve head 69 on its seat 71 assisted by the water pressure present in pressure chamber 20, as well as restores the stem 68 after it has been operated in the manner to be pointed out hereinafter.

The means for electrically causing the operation of the flush valve 14 consists of a suitable solenoid 76 having a central supporting brass sleeve 77 which is held directly on top ,end of the adjusting member 61 by a clamping nut 78 engaging lower flange 79 on the sleeve 77. A suitable leak proof packing 80 is arranged between the top end of adjusting member 61 and sleeve 79 as shown. Reciprocal within the sleeve 77 is a plunger 81 made of some non-magnetic material such as plastic which merely provides an extension piece for the magnetic plunger or armature 82 also reciprocal within the sleeve 77 and positioned directly on top of plunger 81. The magnetic plunger 82 is actuated downwardly by energization of the coil winding of solenoid 76. A spring clip 83 may be slipped over the end of sleeve 77 to hold the solenoid coil 76 thereon and to enable the solenoid to be easily removed by merely sliding it off the top of sleeve 77 a The use and operation of the invention will now be explained. The flush valve 14 is normally in its illustrated closed position, being held so by the supply line pressure, transmitted to the pressure chamber 20 from the inlet 12 of the flush valve, through by-pass opening 31, central passage 30 in the'piston 21, and passageway 41. The pressure in the chamber 20 holds the piston seatingv member 22 down tight on seat 19 in spite of the upward pressure in the supply chamber below the piston, because the pressure area on top of the piston is much greater than the pressure area below. When electric push button 2 is depressed, electric current is caused to pass into the coil windings of solenoid 76 energizing the same and projecting armature plunger 82 downward and this in turn causing downward movement of non-magnetic plunger 81 and valve stem 68, all against the tension of restoring spring 73. As a result, the relief valve head 69 is opened from relief valve seat 71 and the pressure in chamber 20 is lowered by the outflow of water from the chamber 20, through passage 67 in bushing 66, relief valve seat 71, cross openings 64, chamber 54 and thence out through passageways 55 and 56 to the outlet of the flush'valve. I

As a result of the lowering of the pressure in chamber 20, piston 21 rises upwardly because of the water pressure which is exerted below the piston from the line supply. Valve member 22 opens from seat 19 slowly to permit quiet opening and render the quiet screen guide 25 to be effective and refill head 24 to be withdrawn from the throat of the outlet. The discharge area through the flush valve is controlled by the space around the wings of the guide stem 26 and the throttle valve 5 is set in some partially throttled position which will reduce the rate of flow to the desired value of about twelve gallons per minute to properly flush the closet bowl. When piston 21 reaches the top of its stroke, which occurs almost immediately after push button 2 is depressed, the

limit valve head 39 closes its valve member 40 upon the seat 75 on the end of regulating member 61. When this occurs, the cover chamber 54 is completely isolated from the pressure chamber 20 and further escape of water is prevented, independent of whether or not the push button 2 is held actuated or released. It will be apparent that the limit valve 40 is held up by pressure against its seat and thereby prevents prolonged flushing in case the push button is held depressed as will be pointed out.

Upon the seating of the limit valve 40, the slow inflow of water to the pressure chamber 20 through by-pass opening 31 results in the slow refilling of the pressure chamber 20 and consequent slow descent of the piston 21 to eventually return the seating member 22 into seating engagement around the valve seat 19 and shut oflf the water flow. The limit valve '40, however, remains seated for a time even after the push button 2 is released so the downward movement of the piston is not affected. The closing of the main valve seat 22 is accomplished in a quiet manner and the refill provisions take place as is described more completely in the aforementioned Patent No. 2,295,871.

When the push button is released, the electric current is disconnected from solenoid 76 deenergizing the same and resulting in restoring spring 73 being effective to restore the non-magnetic plunger 81, armature plunger 82 and relief valve stem 68, upwardly. This action seats relief valve member 69 upon its seat 71 closing off the pressure chamber 20 completely and preventing further escape of water therefrom. After the relief valve 69 is closed and the piston descends, the limit valve member 40 is pulled away from its seating position just before the main valve 22 finally seats. This is accomplished by the head 38 being forcibly pulled downward due to its engagement with the bottom of gland 36, whereupon the limit valve member drops down to the position shown in FIG. 2. On the other hand, if the push button 2 is held depressed (and relief valve 69 held open), when the head 38 is pulled downward, the descent of the piston is arrested. This arrested movement occurs when seating member 40 is only very slight- 1y separated from its seat 75. When this condition obtains, the resulting escape of the small flow of water from the pressure chamber 20 through open relief valve 69 lowers the pressure in chamber 20 just sufficiently that the piston remains stationary. The flush valve is thus held in its almost closed position with water flowing therethrough at only a small trickle until the push button is finally released.

The quantity of water delivered by the flush valve may be readily regulated by adjustment of the regulating member 61. Turning the hex shaped end 63 in a direction to raise the member 61 raises the limit valve seat 75 carried on the lower bushing 66. With this adjustment made, the piston 21 of the flush valve rises further before the limit valve 40 comes up to its seat 75 to terminate the outflow of water from the upper chamber 20. As a result, the piston 21 has a longer distance to travel in its downward movement and a corresponding larger quantity of water is delivered. When the quantity of water is higher than desired to meet the requirements of the water closet bowl, the regulating member 61 is turned downward, resulting in a shorter downward travel of the piston and less quantity of water being delivered to the closet bowl.

It will be noted that the sealing O-ring 65 around the adjusting member 61 effectively prevents leakage between the pressure chamber 20 and relief chamber 54 while O-ring 62 prevents outward leakage from the cover 50. Any adjustment made with adjusting member 61 can be carried on without effecting the proper operation of the solenoid, the relief valve stem 68, or the relief valve seat 71 thereon. The entire structure is merely moved up or down as a unit within the limits of the threading 58. It is therefore immaterial to what position the adjusting member 61 is adjusted with respect to the cover 50, the relationship between the relief valve stem 68 and its electrical operating parts with the adjusting member 61, always remains the same. A compact simple unitary structure, combining adjustment with electrical actuating means, is thereby evolved which is readily asv 6 sembledupon the removable cover 50 of the flush valve. The adjusting member 61 carries and supports the relief valve seat 71, the limit valve seat 75;, the solenoid 76, as well as providing the volume controlfor the flush valve.

The foregoing unitary structure 60 is readily-attachable upon the flush valve 14 making it suitable for use in flushing water closets in small residences where the water supply pipingis insufficient for regular flush valve operation. With the simpleelectrical remote operation of the flush valve, concealed in the wall, valuable space is conserved in the small residential toilet room. The simple electrical push button, readily accessible for operation by small children, insures that a flushing action of the bowl is not neglected or ignored.

What is claimed is:

1. A flush valve, said flush valve having a main valve member and a limit valve member movable therewith, a relief valve member for controlling the operation of said main valve member, a valve adjusting member, and a solenoid, all arranged as a unitary structure, said adjusting member comprising a hollow tubular member having its lower end adapted for threaded engagement into said flush valve, and having a manual adjusting means on its upper end, a relief valve seat arranged at the lower end of said adjusting member, said relief valve member extending axially through said adjusting member and having its lower end seated upon said relief valve seat, a restoring spring around said relief valve member effective to normally hold said relief valve member seated upon said relief valve seat, said adjusting member hav ing side relief passages therein located above said relief valve seat, a solenoid plunger extending into said adjusting member and contacting the end of said relief valve member, a solenoid for actuating said solenoid plunger supported upon the upper endof said adjusting member and above said manual adjusting means, said solenoid adapted to actuate said solenoid plunger to cause said relief valve member to move away from said relief valve seat, to operate said main valve member, a limit valve seat on said adjusting member arranged below said relief valve seat and adapted to be engaged by said limit valve member to prevent prolonged operation of said main valve member in case said relief valve member is held open too long, and sealing means around said adjusting member adjacent each end thereof and on opposite sides of said relief passages.

2. The structure of claim 1 further characterized in that said tubular member has an enlarged hollow area, said relief valve seat being formed at one end of said enlarged area, said relief valve including an enlarged head reciprocal in said enlarged area and adapted to seat upon said relief valve seat.

'3. A flush valve, said flush valve having a main valve member and a limit valve member movable therewith, a relief valve member for controlling the operation of said main valve member, a valve adjusting member, and a solenoid, all arranged as a unitary structure, said adjusting member comprising a hollow tubular member having one end adapted for threaded engagement into said flush valve, and having a manual adjusting means on its opposite end, a relief valve seat arranged at said first named end of the adjusting member, said relief valve member extending axially through said adjusting member and having one end seated upon said relief valve seat, means eflective to normally hold said relief valve member seated upon said relief valve seat, said adjusting member having relief passages therein spaced from said relief valve seat, a solenoid plunger extending into said adjusting member and contacing the end of said relief valve member, a solenoid for actuating said solenoid plunger supported upon said adjusting member, said solenoid adapted to actuate said solenoid plunger to cause said relief valve member to move away from said relief valve seat, to operate said main valve member, a limit valve seat on said adjusting member arranged below said relief valve seat and adapted to be engaged by said limit valve member to prevent prolonged operation of said main valve member in case said relief ,valve member is held open too long, and sealing means on opposite sides of said relief passages. 5

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 342,495 Barker May 25, 1886 10 8 Wolfe Apr. 18, Aylward Mar. 15, Schier July 3, Mitchell June 17, Ryan Nov. 18, Sloan Sept. 15, Fields Dec. 15, Loweke July 10, Beyrodt May 20,

Ghormley Oct. 6, 

